The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
The fear sets in, of knowing how short our time is
The shortness of stride,
not a single excuse to prove that we were meant for this
Everything starts to spin all at once
If you hear something strange in my voice oh its conviction
Detest my words they have no ill meaning
Run your fingers back and forth over this sheet of paper
So where's the heart?
Its not coming through
Who is this for?
So where's the heart?
If you hear something strange in my voice oh its conviction
Detest my words they have no I'll meaning
Were caught between the storms that never mattered
Oh dear puppet wake up and cut the strings before the next show
I believe that this is in your blood,
by all means take your place, take your place
Put yourself into this letter
We've all had it alright
We dropped the ball.
The shortness of stride,
not a single excuse to prove that we were meant for this
Everything starts to spin all at once
If you hear something strange in my voice oh its conviction
Detest my words they have no ill meaning
Run your fingers back and forth over this sheet of paper
So where's the heart?
Its not coming through
Who is this for?
So where's the heart?
If you hear something strange in my voice oh its conviction
Detest my words they have no I'll meaning
Were caught between the storms that never mattered
Oh dear puppet wake up and cut the strings before the next show
I believe that this is in your blood,
by all means take your place, take your place
Put yourself into this letter
We've all had it alright
We dropped the ball.
Lyrics submitted by Street Spirit
Just Another Marionette Lyrics as written by Ernest White Brian Mcternan
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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Great version of a great song,
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What's being screamed in that awesome little section? I would really like to know...
Never mind haha.